06/13/2025June 13, 2025Middle East expert: Israel seeks political opportunity at moment of Iranian military weakness
A Middle East expert has said Israel’s escalation may be an attempt to realign Western supportImage: ATTA KENARE/AFP
As Israel confirms it has struck multiple nuclear and military targets inside Iran — killing senior Revolutionary Guard officers and nuclear scientists — Middle East expert and Zenith magazine editor-in-chief Daniel Gerlach has described the move as clearly politically calculated, with the military significance yet to be seen.
Speaking to DW, Gerlach outlined the motivations behind the Israeli assault.
“The military reason is that they simply had the opportunity to do so. Iran has been weakened constantly, mainly through Israeli military action in the region, with attacks on Iranian targets, but also on Iran’s proxies,” he said.
Past exchanges had allowed Israel to probe Iranian air defense systems and expose their limitations, creating what Gerlach called “an opportunity.”
But he argued the more significant motive was political.
“There is a political level to this which I think is much more important,” he said, pointing to the growing criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, especially over the war in Gaza and mass Palestinian displacement.
In Gerlach’s view, Netanyahu may be attempting to realign Western support through escalation.
“For Netanyahu, he can be sure that the moment he escalates the war with Iran, a critical mass of Western allies that were about to distance themselves from his policies will be with him, and will be also forced to somehow, unequivocally, take sides — and that is a political game.”
Gerlach suggested Netanyahu sees war as a strategic domestic tool as well:
“Since October 7th [2023], he thinks that this is a chance to eliminate all strategic threats to Israel and he considers himself a redeemer of his people.”
Asked whether the US would finally back the Israeli strikes, Gerlach pointed to caution but eventual support from Washington.
“We’ve seen that from Washington. Every time such a situation emerges, they might be distancing themselves and maybe critical, but in the end, support the Israeli side in this.”
He noted evacuations of US embassy staff in the Gulf in advance of the attacks and a statement from Senator Marco Rubio warning Iran not to retaliate.
Israel attacks Iran amid growing criticism over Gaza
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